Time running out for Townend as gap widens to six wins in race for the jockeys' championship

The reigning champion shaded his title rival on day one.

Jack Kennedy heads into the final five days of the season seven winners in front of Paul Townend — 122 to Kerry v 115 for Cork

Some bemoan his domination of the Irish scene, and that irks me. It would. I have been in the camp for most of my adult life.

An army instead of a team is being sent to Ayr, where every fiver of prize money will be sought in Willie’s bid to go one better.

The most significant change to the National is the field size, which is down to 34 runners, so here is a brief guide to help you pick the 2024 Grand National winner.

Tom Gibney and Jimmy Mangan both proved that they could hit the target once they have the right bullets to fire, and so did Jarlath Fahey, Pat Foley, Eoin Doyle, Dermot McLoughlin, Cian Collins, Anthony McCann, and Philip Rothwell.

Credit must go to those sourcing the talent for our trainers, and questions could be asked of those sourcing for Britain.

Pointing at the top is window dressing because every house falls if the foundations are weak

If Galopin Des Champs wins, Mullins will be elevated to the level of dominance in the race which Vincent O’Brien and Tom Dreaper enjoyed — and it is where Willie deserves to be.